As Tokyo-based Mt Gox went down, a new bitcoin exchange was to be launched by SecondMarket Holdings, a US firm specializing in alternative investments, The New York Times reported.
Bitcoin values steadied after the exchange posted a note several hours after going offline, saying “a decision was taken to close all transactions for the time being in order to protect the site and our users.''
Some reports highlighted a line in the Mt Gox computer code hinting at a new owner and a document purported to be from Mt Gox and circulated online said the exchange would reopen as early as April, rebranded as “Gox.''
Fred Wilson, a venture capitalist who has invested in Bitcoin, said he bought more of the virtual currency when the price dropped Tuesday.
“The wonderful thing about a globally distributed financial network is that if one of the nodes goes down, it doesn't take the system down,'' he wrote on his blog.
“I always feel good buying when there is blood in the streets in any market. It is my favorite time to buy.''—AFP